SA skipper AB de Villiers (AP)

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Earlier on Sunday the Proteas lost their second Super Eights match on the trot after a humiliating eight-wicket loss to Australia in Colombo. They also lost to Pakistan on Friday and are currently rooted at the bottom of Group 2 with zero points. The top two teams in each group qualify for the semi-finals.

However, India's eight-wicket win over Pakistan means that South Africa still have a slim chance of making the playoffs. Had Pakistan beaten India then they would have qualified together with Australia.

Australia lead the group with two wins (four points), with India and Pakistan on one win each. But the Indians are in third position due to a weaker net run rate of -0.452 compared to Pakistan's -0.426. The Proteas have the worst net run rate of -0.605 but should they claim a big win over India on Tuesday, and Pakistan get well beaten by Australia, South Africa and Australia will progress to the semi-final stage.

Australia and Pakistan meet at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday, with the SA-India game following there straight afterwards.

It may sound like a long shot, but it should be enough for AB de Villiers and his charges to stay motivated for the remaining few days.